Cooking Article

Scientists are always looking to plants to find medicinal and therapeutic secrets. Discoveries of natural compounds within the olive tree and olives
provide promising health and medical benefits. Organic olive oil has significant health related properties that have spanned centuries and cultures in the Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean olive dates back 6000 years and was native to Iran
Syria and Palestine (Asia Minor). From there it spread to the Mediterranean basin. It is one of the earliest known cultivated trees. According to the Bible
an olive leaf was that which a dove brought back to Noah
as an indication the great flood waters were abating.

The olive tree thrives best in a sunny position and climate. A rocky subsoil suits it well. The trunk is knotty
hard
and gnarled
the bark smooth and ash colored. Olive wood is valuable for its durability and is crafted into many items such as gourmet cooking utensils. The olive tree experiences slow growth
but it lives very long. It is reported that the olive trees on Mount of Olives in Jerusalem
are over 2000 years old. It is commonly believed the Bible passage of “the fruit thereof shall be for meat
and the leaf thereof for medicine
” refers to the olive tree. Olive leaves are silver grey-green
and possesses the health qualities of “olive leaf extract” which is pressed from them. Extracted from olive leaves is a bitter substance named oleuropein. In the 1960’s researchers reported that oleuropein lowered blood pressure in animals
this caused immediate medicinal interest in the olive leaf. There are new studies that indicate olive leaf extract may be a natural preventative against the common cold and flu.

The olive is believed to be a source of wealth for the Minoan Kingdom. Egyptians tombs dating back as far as 2000 BC have been proved to contain olives. The Greeks spread the usage of olives to the Romans who
in turn
spread it across their vast empire. The use of olive oil has been advocated by many religions and cultures. The early Greek Kings were anointed with olive oil. It was also used to anoint winning Olympic athletes. Across many cultures
olive oil is recognized for healthy benefits for both the inner and outward body.

Some research indicates extra-virgin olive oil is the most digestible of the edible fats. Olive oil also it helps to assimilate vitamins A
D and K in the human body. Benefits of consuming olive oil include slowing down the aging process and helps liver
bile
and intestinal functions. Olive oil is valued for its culinary attributes and organoleptic virtues
these being: flavor
bouquet or aroma
and color. Various grades of olive oil are derived from the time of pressing. Earlier pressings are regarded as better quality. Cold pressed olive oil is a pressing process requiring no heat or chemicals
which destroy vital nutrients. This olive oil is generally the best to use for cooking and healthy cuisine.

Olive oil has been extensively used in cooking and forms an integral part of the basic Mediterranean diet. It is a healthier substitute to butter. Strong and pungent flavored olive oils are great for frying fish or other items having a strong flavor. Extra virgin olive oil goes well with salads. A late harvest mission variety olive oil
which is mellow
can be used for baking cakes. Gourmet olive oil is a healthier and tastier substitute to other fatty cooking oils. The health benefits of cold pressed olive oil already have federal agency approval. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized marketing ads that say organic olive oil helps reduce the risk of coronary disease and disorders.

Given below is a simple recipe for olive oil bread dipping sauce.

Bread Dipping Sauce

Servings : 2 - 4
Preparation time : 10 minutes

Ingredients:

ฝ cup virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
minced (Italian parsley is best)
1 tablespoon fresh basil
minced
ฝ teaspoon fresh rosemary
minced
1 tablespoon fresh garlic
minced
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
ผ teaspoon red pepper flakes
crushed well
1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Salt
to taste

Method:

Heat the olive oil in a pan. Add the garlic and saut้ till it changes color. Add all the other ingredients and cook for about 2 – 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Serve as a bread dip.